Rama Duwaji, the wife of New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, is under scrutiny for her political views, which are laid bare through her artwork and social media posts.
The 28-year-old illustrator has previously campaigned against what she calls “Israeli war crimes” and highlighted Palestinian suffering in her art.
An animation shared by Mamdani himself last year shows a stack of US bills labeled “Israeli war crimes.”
Mamdani captioned it: “New York charities send over $60 million every year to fund Israeli war crimes, and that number is only growing. It’s time to bring an end to this.”
Duwaji has also shared drawings of Palestinian families facing airstrikes, writing, “Presidents come and go, but American imperialism never changes. Thinking of the Palestinians, who suffer no matter who’s in office.”
More recently, Duwaji posted broken heart emojis over a picture of Palestinian social media influencer Saleh Al-Jafarawi, who was killed last month by an anti-Hamas militia. Videos circulating online reportedly show Al-Jafarawi celebrating attacks by Hamas on October 7.
Born in Houston but identifying as Syrian, Duwaji was raised in Dubai and studied at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, including time in Doha, Qatar. She moved to New York in 2021, just months before meeting Mamdani.
The couple’s love story began on Hinge in 2021, when Mamdani was 29 and Duwaji was 24.
They announced their engagement in October 2024 and were married earlier this year at City Hall, with an opulent Nikkah ceremony in Dubai following in December, as reported by The Daily Mail.
Mamdani called online dating a success, telling The Bulwark podcast: “I met my wife on Hinge so there is still hope on those dating apps!”
Duwaji has amassed over one million followers on Instagram, where fans are captivated by her aloof, unbothered persona. She stood alongside Mamdani at Brooklyn’s Paramount Theater as he celebrated his election victory on Tuesday.
Dressed in black lace and sporting a blunt, choppy fringe reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn, she waved to supporters with dark-painted talons, exuding both elegance and edge.
Mamdani, 34, now ascends to the mayoralty after defeating Republican Curtis Sliwa and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).
He pledged to freeze rent costs for stabilized tenants, make city buses fare-free, and open city-run grocery stores offering cheaper prices.
While Republicans and moderate Democrats criticized his policies, Mamdani’s grassroots appeal carried him to victory. He bested Cuomo in the Democratic primary with 43% of the vote to Cuomo’s 36% and then defeated him again in the general election.
Duwaji’s outspoken political views, combined with her high-profile social media presence, are now drawing attention as she prepares to become New York City’s First Lady on Jan. 1, 2026. Critics argue her past artwork could spark controversy, while supporters view her as a bold voice for social justice.
